Knowledge base
Generative Music
How does the ARP 2600's Prancing Raindrops patch combine ring modulation, Sample & Hold, oscillator cross-modulation and internally triggered envelopes to generate a continuously changing sequence without playing the keyboard?
A patch that plays itselfThe ARP 2600 Patch Book contains a… read more
How does Cherry Audio Harmonia work, and how does its combination of eight frequency layers, sampled waveforms, harmonic ratios and semitone tuning relate to additive synthesis?
A different way to think about additive synthesisCherry Audio's Harmonia is one of my go-to synthesizers when I… read more
What defines ambient music? Explore Brian Eno’s original concept, the history of ambient music, and how diverse subgenres such as Dark Ambient, Ambient Techno and Acid Ambient relate to its origins.
Does ambient music even exist?Is ambient music a genuine musical genre, with identifiable… read more
How can you patch Kitchen Sink and Pigeon Plink in VCV Rack for evolving FM sounds, feedback loops, ratio modulation and generative sequences?
Introduction: FM as a patching systemKitchen Sink and Pigeon Plink are especially interesting when you stop treating frequency modulation as a… read more
What does the Kitchen Sink oscillator in VCV Rack do, and how can you combine linear FM, through-zero FM, exponential FM, feedback and wave folding?
Introduction: One oscillator, many ways to shape soundAn oscillator is often presented as a relatively simple sound source: choose a waveform… read more
Best Ways to Use Mutable Instruments Clouds in Generative Modular Patches
Using Mutable Instruments Clouds in Generative PatchesClouds becomes especially powerful when integrated into generative systems.
Rather than serving merely as an effect processor, it can become an active… read more
What Does the Blend Control Do in Mutable Instruments Clouds?
Clouds Blend Functions and Audio Quality SettingsClouds provides several operating modes that affect both audio quality and effect processing.
Depending on the hardware version, firmware version, or software implementation… read more
What Do Position, Size, Texture and Density Do in Mutable Instruments Clouds?
Clouds Controls ExplainedUnderstanding four primary controls is the key to mastering Clouds:
Position
Size
… read moreHow Does Mutable Instruments Clouds Work for Granular Synthesis and Generative Music?
Mutable Instruments Clouds: Granular Synthesis for Generative Modular MusicGranular synthesis is one of the most powerful techniques available to modular synthesists. Instead of processing audio as a… read more
How Do Morph and Envelope Follower Modes Work in the Spectral Multiband Resonator?
IntroductionBeyond its resonant filtering capabilities, the Spectral Multiband Resonator contains two advanced functions that are especially valuable for generative music: Morph and Envelope Follower… read more